The first Saturday in November is finally approaching, which means it’s time for LSU and Alabama.
This rivalry game has produced numerous high-stakes matchups and big moments. The 2011 and 2019 games, both labeled as the “Game of the Century,” turned out to be instant classics. Remember, too, Nick Saban’s return to Death Valley in 2008, when the Crimson Tide snuck out a close win in overtime.
And it doesn’t stop there. LSU has a record of 1-4 in the last five matchups in Death Valley, and these games have given fans heartbreak and even some happiness. Let’s look back at what happened in these last five LSU home games against Alabama.
2022
It was a game that featured two former Heisman Trophy winners, Bryce Young and Jayden Daniels. It was a top-10 matchup where the Tigers were ranked No. 10 and the Crimson Tide were ranked No. 6.
A game that started slow with the score being 7-6 at halftime had an ending that will be with LSU forever. After Young improvised in the pocket and made a wild play to find Ja’Corey Brooks for a 41-yard touchdown to take the lead late in the fourth quarter, LSU traveled down the field.
With 1:47 left on the clock, Daniels found tight end Mason Taylor for a seven-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone to regain the lead.
Young was able to get in field goal range, and Alabama tied it at 24 to head into overtime. It was yet another stressful game between the two rivals, and the fireworks didn’t stop in regulation. Alabama scored first in overtime, giving LSU a chance to respond.
On the first play of LSU’s possession, Daniels ran in for a touchdown, only needing the extra point to tie it; however, special teams were a rollercoaster for the Tigers that year, and head coach Brian Kelly decided to go for two. Daniels rolled to his rolled and found Taylor once again for the conversion, winning 32-31. The fans stormed the field, completing what is remembered as one of LSU’s best wins in recent history.
2020
This game wasn’t close from the start. Alabama had the best offense in the country, led by Mac Jones, Najee Harris, DeVonta Smith and plenty more. Alabama entered the game as the No. 1 team in the country, and even though LSU was coming off a national championship, the Tigers lost a lot of pieces and had an underwhelming year.
The Crimson Tide blew out LSU 55-17 behind a ridiculous stat line from their big three on offense. Jones threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns, connecting with Smith eight times for 231 yards and three touchdowns. Harris also terrorized the LSU defense, rushing for 145 yards and three touchdowns. Alabama put up 45 points in the first half and never looked back.
2018
The hype heading into this game was at an all-time high. First-year starter Joe Burrow led the 7-1 Tigers to the No. 3 ranking, while Tua Tagovailoa and the Crimson Tide were ranked No. 1 in the country.
It was another top-three showdown that had an impact on both the SEC West and the playoffs. The hype died quickly as the Alabama defense shut down the LSU offense. Burrow only completed 18 passes out of 35 attempts for 184 yards and threw an interception. Although Tagovailoa battled injuries, it did not slow down the Crimson Tide.
They strolled past LSU in a 29-0 victory behind 344 total yards and three touchdowns by Tagovailoa.
2016
This game doesn’t get a lot of mention in terms of LSU’s best battles against Alabama. Outside of Alabama’s eventual loss in the national championship and its close win over Ole Miss, the Tigers gave the Crimson Tide one of the hardest challenges during that season.
Through three quarters, neither team scored a single point. Yes, you read that correctly. It was a true defensive matchup as Alabama ranked No. 1 in team defense while LSU ranked No. 5.
Both teams couldn’t get anything going on the offensive side of the ball, but it was a touchdown run in the fourth quarter by Jalen Hurts that put Alabama up 7-0. After the score by Hurts, LSU had an opportunity to respond, but an interception by Minkah Fitzpatrick gave the Crimson Tide the ball back on their 43-yard line.
Alabama capitalized on the turnover and added a field goal to the scoreboard to take a 10-0 lead, and in a game where points came rarely, that turned out to be the dagger. The Crimson Tide once again moved on to 9-0 and kept their No. 1 rank.
2014
There have been just five overtime games between LSU and Alabama, and the game in 2014 was one of them.
It was another defensive game where both quarterbacks couldn’t throw for more than 210 yards. LSU trailed by three at the half but responded with a field goal to start the third quarter and tied it at 10.
After a series of punts, LSU was gifted the football by a TJ Yeldon fumble on the six-yard line. Although in great field position, the Tigers only responded with another field goal to make the score 13-10.
Alabama answered with a 39-yard field goal to send the game into overtime. The Crimson Tide scored on its first possession of overtime and stopped the Tigers from responding to win 20-13.
